Sizzling Hot Honey Cranberry Meatballs

For the best cranberry meatballs recipe for holiday parties, game day, or any winter gathering here you go! These Hot Honey Cranberry Meatballs are sweet, spicy, tangy, sticky, and unbelievably easy. Everything you want in an easy party meatballs recipe. With only a few pantry ingredients and frozen meatballs, you have a hot honey glazed meatballs appetizer that tastes like it took hours. And they can stay warm in your slow cooker for a self serve appetizer. Just add toothpicks and napkins!

The combination of whole berry cranberry sauce, BBQ sauce, soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, and hot honey creates a beautifully balanced glaze. It coats each meatball with a glossy, sweet-and-spicy flavor your guests will love. These are a fantastic holiday appetizer cranberry meatballs option for hosts who want maximum flavor with minimal effort.

Why These Sweet and Spicy Cranberry Meatballs Are a Crowd Favorite

Whether you serve them as cranberry cocktail meatballs, a game day snack, or a festive cranberry sauce meatballs appetizer, this hot honey cranberry meatballs recipe always disappears quickly.
Here’s why:

• 5 minutes of prep. just whisk together the sauce ingredients, fire up your slow cooker or stove top and mix the sauce into your meatballs.
• Pantry-friendly ingredient list. If you have a well stocked pantry you may not even need a store run to make these. Perfect last minute addition to a party table.
• Works in the slow cooker or stovetop. This is maybe the best part. You can easily whip these up on your stove top if your slow cooker is busy.
• Perfect for make ahead holiday meatballs. You can make the sauce a day ahead and keep it in your fridge. Pour over the frozen meatballs and you’re ready to party. Just plan ahead for the slow cooker time.
• Budget and time friendly thanks to frozen meatballs. If you want to make your meatballs by hand you certainly can. Here’s our recipe for homemade Hawaiian meatballs. They would be great for this recipe, just swap out the sauce.
• The flavors are bold yet not overwhelming. These meatballs are a hit with both adults and kids. And because the sauce thickens as it cooks, you get that perfect sweet and spicy meatballs appetizer texture every time.

Crockpot & Stovetop Options:

This recipe is wonderfully flexible. You can make crockpot cranberry meatballs for an easy, hands-off version or simmer them on the stovetop if you need them ready fast.

Slow Cooker / Crockpot Method (Top Choice for Parties)

The Hot Honey Cranberry Meatballs slow cooker method lets the flavors deepen while keeping the meatballs warm for hours. It’s perfect for buffets and potlucks.

Fast Stovetop Method

The stovetop version takes just 15–20 minutes — ideal for last-minute gatherings, a quick dinner, or anyone who wants their spicy cranberry BBQ meatballs ready fast.

Optional: Brown the Meatballs for Extra Flavor

For even more depth and a slightly crisp texture, you can brown the meatballs before adding the sauce. This step elevates these meatballs to extra good hot honey glazed meatballs.

• Stovetop Browning: Sear meatballs in oil 5–7 minutes.
• Air Fryer Browning: 380°F for 6–8 minutes.
• Oven Browning: 425°F for 10–12 minutes.

This does not change slow-cooker time but may slightly reduce stovetop time.

The ingredients combine into a sticky, glossy, irresistible glaze. Perfect for an easy frozen meatballs appetizer recipe.

Serving Size:

A 32-oz bag serves 10–12 people as an appetizer (or 6 people as a meal served over rice or mashed potatoes.

Tips for Success:

• Add extra hot honey for spicier heat.
• Use orange zest for a cranberry-orange twist.
• Keep warm on “LOW” during parties.
• Prep sauce a day ahead for quick assembly.
• Serve with toothpicks for traditional cranberry cocktail meatballs.

 Variations:

• Cranberry-Orange Meatballs: Add 1 tsp orange zest + 2 tbsp orange juice.
• Spicy Cranberry BBQ Meatballs: Use spicy BBQ sauce + extra hot honey.
• Holiday Garnish: Top with pomegranate seeds for sparkle.
• Bourbon Glaze: Stir in 1–2 tbsp bourbon.